Renaissance Canada

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Renaissance Canada Reaching artists. Restoring culture. A national outreach movement & institute dedicated to reaching artists & equipping churches.

“I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.” Vincent van Gogh, in a letter to his brother The...
10/07/2026

“I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.” Vincent van Gogh, in a letter to his brother Theo, 1888.

When Jesus was asked which commandment was the greatest, He didn’t point to a rule. He pointed to love: love God with everything you are, and love your neighbour as yourself (Matthew 22:37–39).

I believe beauty flows from that same place. The most beautiful things we make aren’t born from striving or performance, but from love: for God, for people, for the world He made.

Love was there from the very beginning. God made creation with care and called it good. He formed humanity in His image and breathed life into us. And when we turned away, He didn’t abandon what He loved. He came after us. Jesus left heaven, walked among us and gave His life to rescue and redeem us.

“God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8, NIV).

That’s the greatest act of love the world has ever seen, and every act of beauty we make is an echo of it.

… So maybe Van Gogh was right. Maybe the most artistic thing you’ll do this week is the way you love someone.

Who could you love well this week?

STUDIO | meet Phenix Warren, our music coach this year at Studio! We’re so excited to have him and all the years of expe...
10/06/2026

STUDIO | meet Phenix Warren, our music coach this year at Studio! We’re so excited to have him and all the years of expertise and pastoral care he’s bringing to the cohort this year.

Check out his work at phenixwarren.com/portfolio!

STUDIO | meet Phenix Warren, our music coach this year at Studio! We’re so honoured to have him and all the years of exp...
10/06/2026

STUDIO | meet Phenix Warren, our music coach this year at Studio! We’re so honoured to have him and all the years of expertise, wisdom, and pastoral care he’s bringing to the cohort this year.

Check out his work at phenixwarren.com/portfolio!

A little Saturday reflection as I was driving through rural Alberta to a youth retreat this morning:Hopkins wrote “God’s...
10/03/2026

A little Saturday reflection as I was driving through rural Alberta to a youth retreat this morning:

Hopkins wrote “God’s Grandeur” in 1877, in a world worn down by industry and toil. There’s something about seeing the glory of God flashing through everyday moments like light off shaken foil.

Take a few minutes today with this poem. Where did you notice the grandeur of God this week?

STUDIO | meet Amber Bent, our fine art coach this year at Studio! We’re so excited to have her and all the years of expe...
10/02/2026

STUDIO | meet Amber Bent, our fine art coach this year at Studio! We’re so excited to have her and all the years of expertise and wisdom she’s bringing to the cohort this year.

Check out her work at amberbent.com!

Introducing STUDIO.Studio is a year for people who make things: a Renaissance Canada cohort that pastors artists as arti...
09/30/2026

Introducing STUDIO.

Studio is a year for people who make things: a Renaissance Canada cohort that pastors artists as artists. We gather makers from across the country for a year of spiritual formation, a theology of making, and community honest enough to show unfinished work in.

Every artist is placed in an atelier of three or four, journeying together for the whole year with a mentor specific to their artistic discipline. It’s made in small rooms, on purpose.

Our 2026–2027 cohort begins today, and we’re so grateful for every artist who said yes to this year. Follow along as they make things.

Applications for the 2027–2028 cohort will open here.

https://renaissancecanada.co/studiocohort

07/30/2026

MISSIONS UPDATE | Introducing Project Heritage

Sometimes God moves in the most unexpected way.

What began as a dream to partner with the North missionally in April 2025 finally became a reality in July 2026 when we were given ownership of a decommissioned vessel that had been sitting in the port of Old Town, Hay River, for 50 years.

Check out our latest update from our most recent visit to the Northwest Territories.

If you want to learn more, go to https://renaissancecanada.co/jessicasanchez

If you want to financially support Jess and this project, go to https://paoc.org/donate/jessicasanchez

Both links in bio!

05/12/2026

Hey everyone! It’s currently missions month at my home church, .church and I had the opportunity to share a little update about Renaissance, what’s been happening, and the current projects I’m currently working on in Calgary and in the NWT!

I’ve been deeply impacted by the ways God has been working through the arts, using it as a vehicle for restoration and healing in some of the people we’ve been working closely with, especially at the . I’m believing for more doors to be opened across (!!!) Canada for programming that engages in rehabilitation/restoration through the arts.

God has been so incredibly faithful in this season of ministry and as I’ve been dreaming bigger, I actually wanted to invite you all into prayerfully considering partnering with the work that has been going on through Renaissance! As we anticipate the needs and costs involved with running these programs, we are in need of monthly financial partners! There’s a link in the bio if you feel led to give. Renaissance would not exist if not for the generosity of those who believe in the arts and believe in the justice-oriented, restorative work that is taking place in the arts and artists. There is a bright future ahead for Canada’s artists! I’m excited to see what God will do.

Thanks for your time 🩵
Jess

Read the update here: https://www.renaissancecanada.co/kb-2026

Donate here: https://paoc.org/donate/jessicasanchez

Check out FA Church’s Kingdom Builder’s 2026 Magazine: https://www.fa.church/kingdombuilders

04/08/2026

MEET AMBER | Part 2

Do you need to be artistically or creatively gifted to try art? Amber gives us the answer!

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Amber Bent () is an artist based in Calgary, AB with a deep passion for people discovering their unique artistic gifts. She’s been such a gift to us as an instructor and a gift to those who sit under her teaching!

Renaissance Canada is a national outreach ministry committed to doing restorative work in the arts and artists across Canada. If you’d like to learn more, head over to https://renaissancecanada.co/programs

04/01/2026

MEET AMBER ✨

As some of you might know, we’ve been running creative programming at the Calgary Dream Centre since January! Our heart has always been to create low-barrier spaces and opportunities where people can engage with the arts and artistic programming.

We’ve been privileged to partner with an organization that we’ve deeply admired for years and to be able to create spaces for residents to not only engage with art and creativity, but also create spaces of healing and discovery in the process. It’s been so unique to journey through recovery with some of the residents and hear some of the incredible stories. We are so honoured to be a part of and see some of the work that’s come out of it. Amber has been a huge help in this step forward in the kind of work we’re hoping to continue throughout Calgary!

Amber Bent () is an artist based in Calgary, AB with a deep passion for people discovering their unique artistic gifts. She’s been such a gift to us as an instructor and a gift to those who sit under her teaching!

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